Buds are opening at last. The long wintery wait for the first buds of spring is fading into satisfaction.
One of spring’s joys is its timing. The opening comes little by little.
It is tentative at first, like the first warm breezes blowing in from the southwest which bring softness to the air, and carry an earthy sweetness in them.
Some buds open a bit, and then close again at sunset. Their petals curl back in to protect the center.
They open only when the day is fine and almost warm.
Other buds open ever so slowly, but once their petals have unfurled, they are committed. Whether they last a week, or whether the wind comes along and shatters them sooner; they remain open to what comes.
They stand ready for every little bee and flying insect who will visit.
Our stark wintery silhouettes are blurring.
Spring’s lush costume pops out of hard woody stems as buds swell and suddenly burst open, releasing tiny leaves and bright petals.
The leaves grow a bit, day by day, as the mystery play of springtime unfolds; flower by flower, sunrise after sunrise, act by act, finally climaxing in the high greenness of early summer.
But we are still at the beginning, the opening, of the high drama of winter’s transformation into spring.
All the beauty and magic is here. It is happening all around us, now. We need only remember to look, to breathe, and to enjoy the show.
Words and Photos by Woodland Gnome 2014
Forest Garden 
I hope that all these lovely spring flowers survive this crazy, unexpected snowfall! Thanks for stopping by and liking my latest post. I always enjoy yours, too! Good luck with the blizzard…
Jennifer, you’re reading my mind… I hate to think of these flowers covered by snow and ice… but it won’t be the first time. They’re tough when they come up so early 😉 I think you’ll get more blizzard that we will, but the forecast is all over the place. We’ll know which is correct by Wednesday…. 😉 Glad you ‘re enjoying life in Virginia. I could only laugh at your thrift store post. The owner is targeting his advertising extremely well! Best wishes, WG
Glad you enjoyed the thrift shop! Someone actually told me they would have bought that fur hat if they’d had the chance… Life in Virginia is going well but I’m really looking forward to spring now. I have a feeling you’re right about the crocuses and other blooms! I’ll be documenting what happens. All the best, Jennifer
All the best to you, to, Jennifer. I’ll look forward to your posts tomorrow 😉 Thank you for liking “Opening.” Sometime I may get bored with photographing these gorgeous flowers, but no time soon! They are just simply eye candy after this long winter. And spring will prevail! Stay warm 😉 WG
Good morning!! 🙂 Lovely pictures, it wonderful to see spring finally showing it’s colors! Raining here today but we need it. Suppose to get over an inch of rain today, I am sure the rain will help the trees and other flowers start blooming! I took a hike yesterday and just posted a few pictures, check it out. I hope you and your have a wonderful day! 🙂
Michael
http://michaelswoodcraft.wordpress.com/2014/03/16/things-i-saw/
Great photos, Michael! Wish you had photos of that underground stream. Thanks for the kind words on the photos-we’re so relieved that the world is now more than shades of blue, brown, grey, and green. Color again! Bet today’s rain will really bring your flowers out next week. Hope you enjoy the day, WG